Dotson for Attorney General?

This is NLS, and I am back!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of a lunch meeting with fellow platinum blogger Chad Dotson.  We also invited possible future platinum blogger Brian Patton.  It was a pleasure meeting them both.

Once we got done with the pleasantries, I got a chance to question Chad on the big rumor in Virginia politics right now- will he run for Attorney General in 2009?   Chad demurred a little, but I was able to hammer a little information out of him.  Together, with some of my GOP sources around Virginia I can give you a pretty good picture of what's going on here.

First of all, what started out as an inside joke (c'mon, the Wise County Commonwealth Attorney for Attorney General?) has ballooned.  This has gotten some deep concern deep inside the Republican party, which is not well known for nominating "outsiders".  In fact, many people aspire to this office within the General Assembly, and have grown seriously annoyed that an "internet person" has gotten better name recognition then during their decade of service.

This effort became a serious thing at the Republican advance, where blogging Chad was treated as somewhat of a celebrity.  One good move Chad has made so far is not letting himself get defined into either wing of the Republican party, so there is a lot of posturing going on now with insiders trying to figure him out.

I personally am very amused by everything going on with this right now.  A lot of people who have waited their turn are not happy at all, but are struggling with grassroots that are treating a small town prosecutor like the 800 pound gorilla in the race.

More on this later, but we could be looking at a historic moment in Virginia politics, where the internet has become so big that conventional routes to statewide office are being cut off. 

Comments

Chadwick need to wait his turn

[Mark. T. Blair]

Wow! That's fascinating. I've been wondering if Chad Dotson for Attorney General was a joke or not for some time now. Using a blog as a launching pad for statewide office? Unheard of! Maybe we'll start seeing more elected officials starting blogs. How cool would that be?

[Chris]

As Kinky Friedman would say:

"Why The Hell Not?"

He's got my vote

[Shaun Kenney]

Political bloggers. Typically your activists who can reach the electorate, yes?

I think you hit this one dead on. Bloggers storming the Bastille isn't exactly the orderly process most insiders want or like.

Still, all this having been said, 2009 is a long ways off. All in due time.

[Lowell]

"The World is Flat" - Tom Friedman

[tooconservative]

Welcome back Ben.

[NotNotJayHughes]

Welcome back, Ben....how was the trip?

NLS, I hear it's somebody's birthday today..... big 3-0?

[William Jackson]

when will we see the draftdotson.com website?

[atomopawn]

The only reason I wouldn't want this to happen is that Commonwealth Conservative would never be the same!

[Dr. Alan Parsons]

No reason CC couldn't go on. It would even add to its starpower then.

Hey, who ate my sandwich?

[J. Sarge]

NLS, time to swing back into action. What is the story with Jackie Stump's retirement? Scandal? Sickness? Has this been known by people other than me for some time?

J. Sarge, I agree. The first I heard of it was today. There is apparently a special election for his seat 3 weeks from tomorrow, and I've heard nothing about it. NLS--PLEASE do a post about this soon. Thanks!

http://brianpatton.org/2005/12/12/del-jackie-stump-stepping-down/

[Bwana]

Over at Vaconservative.com Chad says Stump has been diagnosed with cancer, and will be receiving treatment during the upcoming legislative session...

http://vaconservative.com/archives/2005/12/12/special-elections-2/

[Dr. Alan Parsons]

Perfect opening for Teresa Altemus, the pro-cancer candidate according to the Weenie of the Week write up.

[pc]

Chad has paid his dues, after all he helped spread the rumor that Mark Warner was going to quit campaigning with Tim Kaine in the last weeks of the campaign.